In our discussion of TEMPLE GRANDIN, I made the assertion that this criteria–Presentation of information including accuracy, clarity, and organization–ought to be applied to fiction just as rigorously as it is to nonfiction. Eric disagreed, citing one of our criticisms of OKAY FOR NOW last year. A fiction book even a realistic one has no [...]

The finalists for the National Book Award were announced this morning. GOBLIN SECRETS by William Alexander OUT OF REACH by Carrie Arcos NEVER FALL DOWN by Patricia McCormick ENDANGERED by Eliot Schrefer BOMB by Steve Sheinkin While they once again skew to an older audience, I think we will probably end up discussing several of [...]

We’ve had a running conversation in the comments about whether nonfiction books appeal more to our emotions or our intellect. We’ve discussed four titles in some depth, and if I had to place them on a spectrum from most emotional appeal to most intellectual appeal, then I would rank them thus: WE’VE GOT A JOB, [...]

Civil rights elicit a wide range of deeply felt emotions–horror, outrage, disgust, sadness, admiration, and conviction–especially in relation to black holes and shore birds. Generally speaking, we care more because we’re talking about people. Not surprisingly, these books often get their just due, especially when they are well written. Indeed, half of the nonfiction Newbery books in [...]

Quick!  Name all the science-themed nonfiction books in the Newbery canon.  VOLCANO by Patricia Lauber.  One?  Yes, you read that right: there is only one science book in the entire canon.  Perhaps that will change as there are several excellent science books this year. We could spend quite a bit of time with THE MIGHTY MARS [...]

Interpretation of the theme or concept?  Check. Presentation of information?  Check. Development of a plot?  Check. Delineation of characters?  Check. Delineation of a setting?  Check. Appropriateness of style?  Check. Boring?  Check. Oh, wait!  That’s not part of the critiera.  Nevertheless, that is my reaction to this book on a first read (and if you don’t [...]

WHAT IS A DOCUMENTARY NOVEL, ANYWAY? I’m only familiar with two children’s novels billed as such.  Avi’s NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH, an older Newbery Honor book, is told in completely fictional documents.  No resemblance there.  Deborah Wiles’s more recent book, COUNTDOWN, however, liberally uses period photographs and quotes to document the 60s setting of the [...]

One of the quirks of this publishing year is the prevalence of so many sequels (and companion novels) to previous Newbery books.  In addition to THE MIGHTY MISS MALONE, I count five more: APPLEWHITES AT WIT’S END by Stephanie Tolan, PALACE OF STONE by Shannon Hale, ONE YEAR IN COAL HARBOR by Polly Horvath, STARRY RIVER [...]

It’s easy to see why this book has so many fans.  What’s less apparent is why so many people believe it’s the frontrunner.  That’s not an easy position to hold as we found out last year with OKAY FOR NOW: first the excessive praise followed by the nasty backlash and the obsessive scrutiny that comes [...]

It’s a great year for nonfiction!  I know I say that every year, but this year I really mean it!  And to illustrate my point I combed back through my starred review lists for the past five years looking for longer works of nonfiction (more than 64 pages) which earned three or more starred reviews.  [...]